Question

What type of reflex is the knee jerk?

Answer 1

Reflex action:

1. Reflex action refers to the whole process of responding to the peripheral nerve stimulation, which occurs involuntarily and requires the involvement of a CNS part.
2. It is a crucial action exhibited by the motor nerves and is usually more rapid than other reactions of the body.
3. Reflexes are of two types based on whether they are present from birth or acquired through experiences in life namely- Simple reflexes and acquired reflexes.

Simple reflexes:

1. Jerking of the knee when hit below the knee cap is a type of simple reflex.
2. Simple reflexes are the type of reflex that is found in an organism starting from birth and are also called inborn or inherited reflexes.
3. These reflexes are specific, predictable, and have survival value.